Gerald Joseph Cadorath

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our husband / father / grandfather / great grandfather / great great grandfather, Gerald Joseph Cadorath on April 11, 2015 at the age of 89.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Gerry slipped away peacefully in his home in Cape Coral, Florida with his family by his side.

Gerry was predeceased by his wife Blanche (nee Hebert), his father Jean, mother Aurora, sister Jeanine and his brother Mel.

Gerry is survived by his wife Judy, and children Vicky (Steve), Bonnie (Ed), Blanche (Richard), Germaine, and Gerry (Mollie); and stepsons Scot (Kim), Jeffrey (Barbara), Michael (Suzzette), Charles (Kyla). Also remaining to mourn his loss are 25 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Gerry was born on January 16, 1926 in Lauder, Manitoba. At a young age his family moved to Winnipeg where he remained for most of the rest of his life.

During WWII, at the young age of 17, Gerry joined the military, he served his 2 year term and shortly thereafter in 1946 married his wife of 49 years, Blanche (Hebert) Cadorath.

For a few years Gerry tried several career choices before deciding that he wanted to remain in the field of electro plating. In 1954 he opened his first "Cadorath Plating" shop in a small broken down building on Higgins Avenue. As it turned out this was an extraordinarily good choice as over the years Cadorath Plating grew into a highly successful group of international corporations.

Gerry is known for many things, one of which, that none of us will ever forget, is his boisterous contagious laughter. He could light up a room with that laugh!

Gerry was never a man to be ruled by anything, so in 1973 with a fear of flying Gerry learned to fly small aircraft. This became a great love for him. Gerry flew aerobatics for many years both for enjoyment and in competitions. When Gerry, finally at the age of 84 retired from flying he had become the oldest competition aerobatic pilot in Canada. Gerry also enjoyed many long distance trips in his beloved Bonanza. All this proving once again to his family and all who knew him, you can never hold a good man down!

In 1985 Gerry and his wife Blanche began to winter in their home in Naples Florida at which time Gerry became more and more enamored with a love for boating. Once his flying days were over Gerry turned his attention to piloting his yacht. He ventured on several long distance cruises and in 2013 at the age of 87 years, Gerry set out with his new wife Judy to travel "The Great Loop" once again becoming the oldest person we know of attempting this journey.

Gerry was an inspiration to all those around him most especially his children and grandchildren.

Special Thanks to Jason Richardson of Richardson Homes and his teams for their tireless efforts in getting Gerry into his dream home for his final days. Also, special thanks to Casey and Hope Hospice of Cape Coral for their compassion and care in bringing him comfort.

He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Winnipeg at a later date.

He did it HIS WAY!